Smoke Machine

[Paul R]

After working on a turbo inter cooled VW with a P0171 at +25% fuel trim. I used the smoke machine to check the plumbing. A vid about using the machine for thing other than evap would be cool. German cars are especially nasty with the crappy plastic tubing.

Topic

[EricTheCarGuy]

Indeed it would be. I would however need to get a smoke machine first. If and when I do I’ll be sure to make some videos.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[EricWaterTruck]

Smoke machine is a very expensive tool…..saw a Scotty Kilmer video where he puffed a cigar and blew the smoke through an access port, or any of the emissions lines I guess? Not the one going to the gas tank I think?

[EricTheCarGuy]

There are some affordable options out there such as the ‘SmokePro’ but the thing is that I wouldn’t use it all that often so it’s difficult to justify the expense at this time. I do plan to get one at some point and I’d like to do some videos on evap testing. I’m just not there quite yet.

[Paul R]

I wonder if you can make a smoke machine. For evap testing you need the calibration. For just leak checking a good low pressure regulator to shop air might be enough. I’ll have to Google that.

Another use, I’ll hook it up to evap to test after I install a fuel pump. I’ve had comebacks for the sealing oring not seating. I like to make sure now before I let it leave.

[EricTheCarGuy]

This is the smoke machine I was looking at. I’m hoping to find a used one or perhaps hit them up for a promo.

[Paul R]

I have used that machine. Works great and small size. Only problem I had was the ball in the meter sometimes would stick down. Just gave it a tap and it would be fine. I still don’t understand how something so simple cost as much as a scanner.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Agreed. They can be quite pricy but if you’re buying it for a shop then it can pay for itself in short order. If you’re buying it for personal use or a shop that doesn’t do a volume of repair work it’s quite a bit to handle.

[Author]

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